davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1887-07-28
FARM NOTES.

Young and growing animals are the
most profitable for the farmer.
In France vicious horses are subdued
by electricity while being shod.
| 1t is better to cultivate a few acres
| thoroughly than to skim over many.
Coarse wooded sheep are more liable to
be infested with ticks than meriuos.
| Unleached wood ashes added to the
radish bed will keep it free from worms.
Let the boys and girls have plots of
their own to cultivate with flowers, etc.
Rust usually feeds on the stalk of The
wheat plant, while smut feeds on the
seed.
If young horses suffer from cramps.
give laxative food, such as bran mashes.
Sheep should have access to water and
be provided with shade. Give salt fire.
quently.
There are good and rich mixers in all
breeds of cows-only and always except
ing the pumphandle breed.
Begin the bee-keeplng with one or two
colonies, and study the subject as you
enlarge and extend the business.
French poulterers claim a greater saw
ing ana more proht by feeding ground
feed to fowls than by giving it in raw
state.
When you want new seed-peas put one
froEo the stock in your mouth and bite it.
If it is very hard it is more than one year
old. If the teeth enter it with moderate
ease it is new seed.
The effect of fertilizers on the soil does
not depend entirely upon the amount of
available plant food provided, but to the
chemical action upon substances already
existing in the soil.
Wells on the farm should be thoroughly
cleaned out in the spring and fall. At
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1887-07-28
FARM, HOME AND GARDEN.
Feeding Horses.
From the Reins and Whip


Over one-half of the fees that are paid
to veterinaries are due to an impaired
digestion in the animals they are called
on to treat. The functions of the stomach
are so little known to the feeders of stock
that it is ignorance of natures law that
is the primary cause of most diseases.
Corn, oats and hay are looked on as ali
that horse should need-and in MAORI
ty of cases it all that he gets It makes
no difference what he wants, the average
feeder, as he shovels the usual mess into
the manger, feels that the horse should
be thankful that he gets even that, and
can not for the life of him understand
why, when the opportunity is offered, the
horse Will leave corr, oats or hay for the
dirty and non expensive clay-bank. But
clay is non-nitrogenous substance, and
the horse knows, if his owner doesn't,
that every bit of food that has gone into
his mouth for a long while is of highly
heterogeneous character, and he wants a
change. But there is just as much Christi
anity in feeding horse intelligently as
in eating intelligently ourselves, and we
all know how every once In while,
our mouths water" for a change from
what has been our regular oiet. The
corn, oats or hay is rich young grass.
its succulent juices impart strength
and vitality to the system that can be
obtained from nothing else, and every
one knows that season at grass" is a
sure and safe cure for nearly all ills that
horse flesh is heir to. But this is expen-
sive, and there are few who have the OPP
portunity of so doing, or wish to be with
nnth xphiI la 10
so recuperated. Unusual quantities of
grass are not the best for a working
horse, for the laxative effects are weaken
ing to the muscles, and should the animal
then be called on for extra exertion, some
other part of his body might suffer in
consequence. The manufacturers of
many of the prepared foods for stock
that flood our markets claim that their
preparations have the same effects as
grass, without its facilitating effect, and
while it is not our province to push the
claims of any or all these foods, We have
every reason to believe that a good food
of the fundamental character is a valuable
addition to the diet of any animal, and
that with it they would be healthier, har-
dieI and cheaper in the long run.
In the matter of feeding too much care
can not be exercised, as on the ability of
the horse to properly assimilate into his
system the feed he eats depends his use
fulness. He should be given that which
is the easiest digested, so that all the
nutritious parts will be absorbed, into his
system and go to make bone, flesh and
fibre, while the balance will pass off as
excrement. During the last few years
there has been more care exercised In
this matter, and as a consequence the
average horse to-day is better than ever
before; but we do not think that perfec-
ton has yet been reached, and we hope
that it never will be, but that there may
be always room for his improvement.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1887-07-28
A Railroad Cat.

An engineer on the Wabash Railway,
whose run is between Danville and Spring
field, has cat which he would not part
with for love nor money. 1t belonged to
his wife who is now dead, and for a year
past it has been his constant companion
in the cab. The cat loves its life on the
rail, and has grown sleek and fat shifting
the prairie winds. Ordinarily it sits
perched up In the cab window before its
master, but occasionally it strolls out to
the pilot, where it will ride for hours at
stretch, winking knowingly at the dogs
which dart at the train as it thunders by
the crossroads. Sometimes when the
train is approaching station the advan-
tnrous animal climbs to the top of the
sand-box and calmly roosts there, un-
deferred by the shrek of the whistle or
the clang of the bell. The engine has
had good luck ever since the animal be-
came an occupant of the cab, and the
trainmen look upon it as q mascot
against disaster.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1887-07-28
Orchard Enemies.
Correspondence Farmers Review.

correspondence Farmers Review.
We hear it remarked frequently that
the myriads of fruit, plant and veg etable
devouring insects with which we must
contend to secure even a portion of
either is enough to discourage those en-
gagged in their production. From this
respondent view / dissent, as we have
found by the aid of science a remedy
for such difficulties in each case as fast
as they are presented, and usually the
meas are simple; indeed, the main re-
NEEDLES being determined persistence
in the application of the means of exter-
minating. 1t sometimes takes num-
Der of seasons of suffering, and the ex.
pounding, cline upon line" to awak en-
some to the fact that there is a remedy.
and the real necessity of thorough use.
Having from childhood been the watch
full guardian of plant life in and out
doors. confess to blood-thirstiness
for the destruction of all such pests aud
a propensity to destroy them, so when
onr learned scientists show US d way I
make haste in its practice. Wermy
annles have been ''thorn in the flesh"
with MS as with every orchardist we know
for wears. We have kept the swine In
the orchard from the first falling of
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1887-07-28

! this season there will be few wells that
will not contain toads, both alive and in
a state of decomposition.
All breeders of improved stock, of
whatever kind, are familiar with the fact
the original type exists, and must be
guarded against by careful, judicious
election, annually repeated.
'No fact in the cheesemaker's," says
Prof. Arnold, sis better established than
shat cheese is best cured in an even tenn
perature, and is always injured when it
varies, and the wider the variations the
greater the injury"
It is well known that the horseradish
does not produce seed; it propagates it
self so readily underground that it finds
no need of seed. Prof. Halstead finds
that the reason why it does not seed is
the almost cor plete failure OF the
stamens to produce potent pollen
The signs of the times indicate that
the intensely lard hog that was in greet
demand few years ago is to be supplant-
ed by the one that will supply tender,
juicy meat. The hog supplying lard as
has to compete with the crop of cotton
seed oil, while the hand has nothing to
fear from competition.
An experienced gardener says that
sure sign to find out if plants in pots re-
require wetting is TO rap on the side of
the pot, near the middle, with the finger
knuckle; if it gives forth hollow ring
the plant needs water, but if there be a
dull sound there is still moisture enough
to sustain the plant.
Sheen and lambs are often 5ecaptiye
to the eye. A short-legged, short bodied
sheep is often heavier, and will produce
more wool than one that looks to be twice
as large. Great coarse-looking sheep are
not desirable, and if one have them they
should be coupled with small, thick-set,
heavy built rams.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1887-07-28
IN AN ENGLISH HOTEL.
What is Considered Large Business.
Boston Commercial Bulletin.


The style of charging dinners is to
submit to you a printed blank, upon
which what you have ordered is written,
and just before rising from the table you
are desired to approve it by signature
before the waiter carries It to the cashier
to be charged to your account, and if
staying at the hotel for few days you
are only permitted to pay for what you
order on leaving, or, if remaining more
than a week, at the end of each week,
when the huge bill of items is handed
in. 1t is, of course, imr ossible to tell
them if the charges for the various meals,
etc, have all been made correctly unless
one is blessed with a memory not vouch-
safed to ordinary mortals, or does as
the friend of the author did, who was
staying there with his family, make daily
record of everything they ordered in his
pocket memoranda, by which he discov-
ered an error of account.
SIN future" said he to the bookkeeper,
"f will pay the waiter for each meal as I
finish"
'Quite impossible, I assure you, sir"
"Why so? I observe people do it every
day."
"Er-yes, beg your pardon, but those
are transients."
''Well, consider me a transient and I'll
pay as they do"
"Really! We couldnt-we-a h-have
to have a system-our enormous business,
doncher know?"
Enormous business! What do you
call an enormous business?" said the now
irate American.
"Why, immense dinner trade; why, we
often have to dine $50 persons a day
hyar!" and the young man leaned back as
if half expecting the American would
reel under his announcement.
'How many?" said the latter.
"Two hundred ard fifty a dayn'
''Now, look here young man, don't ever
tell that TO any other American; if you
do he will laugh in your face for calling
it big business. Why. l am from sec
ond rate city, where. at one of our regu-
lar hotels from five to six hundred are
dined daily, while three or four clubs of
thirty to forty members each are having
dinners in different parts of the house at
the same time"
"Really-most extraordinary"
Extraordinary! No, sir; I have sat
down in dining room at Saratoga
Springs where over a thousand were
dining at once, with not half the trouble
of getting served chat there is in this
country"
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1887-07-28
Mr. Beecher on the Bob Car.

Mr.. Beecher was once charged with
stealing cents. 1t was when, one day
three or four years ago, he rode uptown
In Blocker street bob tail car with his
old friend, George l.. Crane, then mem
/, Der of the music committee in the ply
mouth Church. The two were out OF a
search for "talent" to help along the
choir. A lady entered the car and took
seat. NJ Beecher, who was standing
! muffied In his great-coat and SLOUGH hat,
handed up her quarter, and, receiving an
envelope with the change, opened it put 5
cents In the box, and handed back the
Test. The lady counted the change care
fully, and looking severely at the Ply
mouth pastor said
ut is 5 cents short, sir! You have some
of the change"
MIR. Beecher flushed scarlet and looked
the picture of guilty confusion. No one
was ever more easily embarrassed in the
presence of harshness of judgement or
1u-breedlng in others. His native polite
ness and kindness of heart made him ex-
cessiyely sensitive to such exhibitions.
Possibly, madam" he stammered,
"there may be some mistake. I will ask
the driver" and stepping to the door he
hammered on the glass and made signs to
| back and broad Celtic face appeared in
the opening with SWELL! What's a
wanting?"
"This lady," said Mr.. Beecher, pointing
| to his severely observant accuser, ''com-
plains that she did not receive the right
change. There must be some mistake"
Il don't know notnin' about it," inter
rnpted the Jehu with sneer; ''if yees
want yer change, yees'll have To ride tn
the end of the line. G1ang" and the
door was closed with bang that shut off
further discussion.
Mr.. Beecher stood embarrassed and ir-
resolute before the indignant woman,
who still held the change in her extended
| hand. Mr.. Crane, who had been secretly
enjoying the scene, came to the rescue of
his pastor by suggesting that he should
give her five cents. smile of satisfac-
ton lit up Mr.. Beecher's face as he pat his
hand In his pocket, and pulling out
nickel said: "Allow me, madam, to correct
the mistake. l am very sorry"
The woman dropped the coin in her
| pocketbook- with comtemptuous sniff
and turned her head away without reply
ing. As she did so, passenger on the
opposite side OF the car leaned over and
whispered something in her ear, of which
Mr.. Crane heard the one word. "Beecher."
The woman gave a sudden and violent
start, stole one brief, searching glance at
the stout stranger, and dropped her veil,
colorlng to the temples. Mr.. Beecher
finished the trip ignorant of how swiftly
he had been avenged. He never referred
| to the matter afterward and ,disliked TO
have it spoken of.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1887-07-28
Selling Wool.
DNIIAHS W VVA|
Farm, Field and Stockman.

1t makes a considerable difference in
the price received for wool whether it is
put upon the market or not. Its cOndi-
ton largely determines the value or price,
and the price we receive determines the
amount of profit realized from the sheep.
When good, common wool, such as we
may expect to secure from the average
farmer, is selling at 20c., dirty, taggy,
bury wool sells at 12c. or 13c. and from
that up, depending largely, of course, up
on the condition it is in.
=, There is no excuse for tags. They can
be taken off before the sheep are turned
out upon the pasture, In the spring, or if
neglected a. that time it can be done
when you sheer. There is no possible
gain in leaving them in. The package
more than overbalances the increased
weight, because the buyer takes into con-
sideration the labor of taking them out,
and is sure to over estimate their weight.
The farmer can better afford to take
them out than to let them remain on.
Sheep should, by all means, be kept away
from burrs. Any one who has never tried
picking them out is generally well salts
fed that it is something of a task, and it
only adds to the cost; there is no posi-
BILE benefit. Burrs are loss, and that is
against our interests.
Again, it is necessary to keep each
fleece separate. Roll tight together, and
tie with the side next to the skin out. Do
the shearing in a clean place, SO there
will be no Unnecessary trash. Clean wool,
properly tied up tight and snug, that
when opened out shows no tags, burrs or
trash, will sell at the best market price
always. Every sheep breeder realizes
that generally this kind of stock has paid
a very small profit; many, in fact, have
not been able to realize any profit, and
others have abandoned the business on
this account. Much of this is no doubt
due to want of proper care and feed,
and to a failure to send the wool to
market in condition that will insure
the highest price. Even with low prices,
those who keep their sheep in a good con-
dition, so that a good growth is secured,
and also take proper care in marketing,
find they have been able to realize but a
small profit.
A difference of sc per pound. on each
fleece may make the difference between
realizing profit and sustaining loss.
And in very many cases the greater por-
ton of this difference is based upon the
condition in the preparation of the wool
for market.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1887-07-28
A Quaint Record.

The Magazine of American History re-
prints the original dairy of Col. Josiah
Smith, a continental officer. The follow
ing extract gives a curious account of the
battle of Long Island, and the famous
retreat to midland, which followed it:
August We % 1776 the Regulars Landed
Belo nue. Uetrick 5000 d I with my Rig1-
ment Went DoUne to Flat bush and wente
within small Distance of the Regulars
and we ware Quite all mite and our advance
gard killed several Of them
% we continued all day in the woods
and thare worr an insessent fire the hull
day we killed a number of them d thay
wounded fore of us we worr Relieved at
Night 1 of Us killed
"a wors in camp and the CARDS wound
ed several of the Enemy & they wounded
Several of us & Shot Coll Martin thrO
the Brest-
% I wOrs out on Sentre in the woods
amp Staid all mite & it wors a Dreadful
thunder Storm
26 we wors Relieved of gard in the after
81 we wors alarmed aboute in the
Morning, and we had many Scurmishas
and they atemted to forse our Lines Il
they killed 1 of my men & we Suppose
that we killed a number of them & we
Drove them Back d Laie in the trenches
all nite.-
2Sw Lay in the Lines all Day & it wors
an Exceeding havi rain & thar wors
cotinual fire KEEP up betwene Us ard the
Regulars and US all day and we lay in the
lines all mite
% we lay in the lines until the midel of
the afternune and then we had Orders to
march over to York and we staid in york
all mite and we wOrs alarmed about 2 in
tue morning that our army wors Leveing
our lines on long Island
80 we marched to Kings Bryce On west
chester
81 We marched to nuerachel il tried to
get pafage by water to the Island but
Could not
September L We marched to mareneck
i then we imbark on bord Vessels to go
hum & aboute IL a clock at mite I got
ashore at Captain Piats at Smith Tonne
q got hum to my house
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1887-07-28
Summons From Rome


Touching the receipt of papaI sum-
mons, says the New York Tribune. the
Roman Church rules differ from the civil
Law of this and nearly all civilized coun-
tries. SO long as man can avoid being
served with subpoena he is exempt from
the penalties of nOn-obedience. Such
however, is not the case in the Catholic
Church, according to the best authorities
who quote numerous cases, both ancient
and modern. to prove this. That of
Maxlmus of Salona is especially interest
ing because in many respects it resem-
bles that of DR.. McGlynn. Maximus, who
was exceedingly popular with all classes
in Salona, had been ordered to Rome by
Gregory L., the Pontiff that DIR. McGlynn
expressed such great admiration for the
other day, declaring him to be ''full of
the spirit of the Master, looking after
the poor and providing for the propaga-
ton of the faith" Some of the friends
of Maximus, including the civil authori-
ties of Salona, sought to interfere in his
behalf. Like DR.. McGlynp he did not
obey the order. Then the Pope wrote
again, threatening accommodation.
Maximus found means to evade receiving
the letter and did not go to Rome. At
the end of thirty days he was excommuni-
Gated just as if he had acknowledged the
receipt of the imperial summons. As
soon as the sentence had been passed
upon him the people deserted him, the
papers state, and even his friends for
sock him. Then he begged Gregory's
pardon and was reconciled to the church.
AS soon as he repented the Pope, in sign
of absolute freedom from rancor, sent
him the pallium and begged him to be
'humble in prosperity, firm and just,
aiding the virtuous and opposing the
wckpis
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1887-07-28
Rio Coffee.

AS we had prophesied, the valuable
stock of coffee in Rio has been syste-
matically underestimated On the
morning of the 25th ult. our coffee brok-
ers reported that the stock was $4,000
bags; on the morning of the 26th these
same brokers discovered that our stock
should be increased by $4,000 bags. re-
sales from exporters to dealers. Now, it
is perfectly clear that if within twenty
four hours so important a quantity as
10000 bags may be added to stock, there
can be no limits to future additions to it.
When further sales again REDUCED stock to
10000 bags, brokers will possibly dis
cover 50,OOO'bags that have been re-sotd;
and we have reason to believe that even
the second $4,000 bag would not entirely
cover re-sales, which sooner or later are
to appear as additions to stock. We
have no complaints to make as to the
legitimacy of declaring sales, deducting
these from stock and holding the coffee
for resale. This has been, is, and will be
done in all speculative markets in the
world; but we do complain that brokers
cOmplacently report stocks when there is.
according to figures, no stock, or, as has
more than once been the case, when the
stock should be a minus quantity. IL
must be clear to the most casual observer
that such occurrences, when the market
for coffee are almost purely speculative,
will produce so profound a disbelief in
Rio reports that when the business re-
turni to its normal basis, or, in other
words, when the Brazil crop suffices to
meet the demands of consumers. the
carelessness of our brokers will be
tremendous weapon of offence in the
hands of the ''bears" who smarting under
the experience of the currant year will
not hesitate to use just such facts as
these to further their own de-
signs.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1887-07-28
A Days Work.
Puck.

Tired Wife-John, I've been bending
over this wash-tub ever since 4 O'Clock
this morning, except the time I took to
get the meals, and it is now night. /
wish you'd go around the corner and buy
scuttle of coal.
Husband-It's five minutes to O'Clock,
and must be at that there labor meeting
at s.
L. Whore meetings! What is this
one for?
A.-We're goin' to strike for eight
hours.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1887-07-28
At the Dakota Insane Asylum.

'Here's another patient for you," said
the sheriff.
"What caused his Insanity" asked the
superintendent.
"An eastern friend who didn't under
stand the matter sent him telegram.
He lived in one of our small towns -
And be made himself insane trying to
read 1t. l see-we have great many
such cases. Take him to tae incurablos
ward, john"
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1887-07-28
Threw Their Ashes Into the Sea.


A gentleman whose wife and babes
were cremated at Los Angeles a few Eays
ago had an unpleasant experience af-
terWard. According to his announced
intention he went to Santa Monica to
consign the ashes to the sea. Upon the
arrival of the train he went direct to the
wharf and engaged boat to take him to
the ships in the ofing. He frequently
asked the boatman about the depth of
the water, and his actions impressed the
boatman as strange. Arriving where the
boatman said the water was twenty feet
deep at low tide the gentleman undid a
newspaper bundle he carried, disclosing
a stout canvass sack, which he quietly
dropped overheard. "New," he said II
am ready to go back" The boatman
rowed him back fully convinced that he
had witnessed the closing scene in some
black crime. Arriving in town he at once
communicated with justice of the peace
and the officers Swallowed the gentleman
for full day, while other officers drag
ged the bay to recover the mysterious
bundle. The boatman had taken his
bearings carefully and the searchers
dragged there, but in vain, the current
having carried tbs bundle away. The
sheriff finally informed the amateur de-
tectives of the facts in the case, and they
went home somewhat crestfallen.